Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay on Career Paths: Clarity and Structure Issues
Sample Answer with Feedback

📅 Published Apr 2026⏱️ 40 minutes recommended📝 274 words · Band 5.5
This IELTS Writing Task 2 essay achieved a Band score of 5.5 and discusses career paths. The response lacks clarity and structure, impacting the overall argument. Improving paragraph organization and providing specific examples can elevate the essay’s effectiveness for future submissions.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Discuss both views · Successful Careers · 40 min


Some people think that the best way to have a successful career is to study at university or college, while others think that it is better to start working right after finishing school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.



5.5Band

Overall Band Score

274 words · Discuss both views · AI Evaluated

5.5
Task Response
5
Grammar
6
Vocabulary
5.5
Coherence

Score Breakdown

IELTS Writing Band Scores (1–9)

Overall Band Score
5.5
Task Response
5.5
Grammatical Range & Accuracy
5
Lexical Resource (Vocabulary)
6
Coherence & Cohesion
5.5

Summary: The essay provides a general discussion on career paths but lacks depth in discussing both views. The response meets the word count requirement but requires a more structured argument and paragraphing. Some ideas are relevant but not well-developed, impacting clarity.

Now write your own — and see how your verdict holds up.

Submit your Successful Careers essay and receive AI scores across Task Response, Coherence, Lexical Resource, and Grammar — plus a Band 9 model answer for your exact question.

Student Answer
Real submission • 274 words • Annotated
274 wordsBand 5.5WritingPart2
● Spelling● Grammar● Vocabulary

I would say it completely depends upon the type of career paths as individuals / young-adults choose. It takes time, energy, efforts, as well as mental maturity rather than blindly following society's advices on career paths. I would say it's ok for people to have a successful career depending upon the type of course which will be beneficial for them not only in terms of having a successful career and an earning source of income, but also should teach real-world problem solving application oriented vocational training skills. Others who blindly follow due to peer pressure or due to family, societal pressure end up failing miserably the most in terms of their career paths as well as earning sources. It completely depends upon the situation's, circumstances and other scenarios that he / she as an individual is born with and what does he / she believe in terms of having a successful career to study / enroll themselves in a university / college right after high school or to start working directly as everyone's situation plays a major role, along with interests and other sources of income for real-world survival skills. I would say the best way to have a successful career is to start working and do take a break after finishing school, after experiencing working if that particular individual doesn't feel like doing it lifelong there is always an option to upskill into short-term courses with different types of degrees and certificates which are globally recognized, in terms of worth of money, time, efforts along with consistency as depending upon their physical, mental health and capacity how much academic pressue can one handle.

AI Feedback Report Details

Spelling · Grammar · Vocabulary · Criteria Analysis

Grammatical Mistakes

6 errors
MistakeCorrectionExplanation
depends upon the type of career paths as individuals / young-adults choosedepends on the types of career paths that individuals or young adults chooseIncorrect use of 'upon'; 'depends on' is the correct phrase, and 'that' is needed for the relative clause.
society's advicessociety's adviceThe word 'advice' is uncountable and does not take a plural form.
due to family, societal pressuredue to family or societal pressureMissing conjunction 'or' to properly connect items in a list.
depends upon the situation's, circumstancesdepends on the situations, circumstancesIncorrect use of 'upon' and undesired possessive; 'depends on' is the proper phrase, and no possessive is needed.
I would say the best way to have a successful career is to start working and do take a breakI would say the best way to have a successful career is to start working and take a breakUnnecessary auxiliary 'do'; 'take' alone is sufficient in this context.
academic pressueacademic pressureSpelling mistake; missing 'r' in 'pressure'.

Vocabulary Improvements

5 suggestions
Original Word/PhraseImproved Word/PhraseExplanation
effortseffortThe singular form 'effort' is more commonly used in this context.
earning source of incomesource of incomeRedundant phrase; 'source of income' is sufficient.
failing miserably the mostexperience significant failureMore precise wording for a formal context.
real-world survival skillspractical survival skillsMore formal and precise wording.
worth of moneyvalue for money'Value for money' is the correct phrase to express cost-effectiveness.

Ready to practise? Get instant AI feedback on your verdict.

Submit your Successful Careers essay and receive AI scores across all four IELTS criteria — with specific feedback on whether your solutions are specific, realistic, and matched to your problems.

Detailed Criteria Feedback

AI-powered analysis for each scoring criterion

Task Response5.5
Evaluation
The essay somewhat addresses the task, discussing various factors influencing career success. However, it doesn't fully explore both views: studying at university versus starting work immediately after school, and it lacks a clear personal opinion with supporting arguments.
Examples
The essay touches on the impact of societal pressure and individual circumstances but doesn't fully compare the options of higher education and immediate employment.
How to Improve
Better structure could improve clarity, with one paragraph for each viewpoint (university vs. work) and a separate paragraph clearly stating and supporting your opinion. Provide specific examples or reasons for each view and your stance.
Coherence & Cohesion5.5
Evaluation
There is an attempt to structure the response, though ideas are not clearly organised, and transitions between ideas are sometimes confusing. The essay needs clearer paragraphing to structure the argument.
Examples
The essay uses input phrases like "I would say" repeatedly without logically connecting sentences or paragraphs, leading to a somewhat disjointed flow.
How to Improve
Improve coherence by using clear paragraphing with topic sentences. Also, use a wider range of cohesive devices accurately to link ideas more effectively.
Lexical Resource6
Evaluation
The vocabulary range is adequate, with some appropriate but occasionally imprecise lexical choice. There is an evident attempt to use complex vocabulary, though sometimes not used accurately or effectively.
Examples
Terms like "real-world problem solving application oriented vocational training skills" are ambitious but awkward and unclear.
How to Improve
Aim for greater precision and appropriateness in word choice. Practice using varied vocabulary in context to ensure accuracy and naturalness.
Grammatical Range & Accuracy5
Evaluation
There is a range of grammatical structures, but these are frequently inaccurate, particularly in simple and complex sentence forms. This affects overall readability.
Examples
Errors such as "situation's," "he / she as an individual," and "academic pressue" reduce clarity.
How to Improve
Focus on grammar accuracy by practicing common sentence structures and ensuring subject-verb agreement. Revise for punctuation and spelling errors before submission.
💡
Tip: Review the Band 9 model answer to see how a high-scoring essay structures arguments, uses advanced vocabulary, and maintains coherence throughout.

RELATED ESSAYS

01
University Students📝 379 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model ✓
There are two opposing views on whether university students should be free to choose their own subjects or whether they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
The question of what university students should study sits at the heart of what we think university is for. One side argues for total freedom of choice, the oth...
02
High Incomes📝 330 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model ✓
Some people in different countries earn very high incomes. While some people think that this is beneficial for the nation, others believe that the government should limit how much money people can make. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.  Write at least 250 words.
In different countries, many people make too much money. Some people gave their opinions in thier favour and some suggest that The Government should keeps an ey...
03
Family📝 268 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model ✓
Some people believe that children benefit more from growing up in large families with many siblings, while others think that being an only child offers greater advantages.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.Write not less than 250 words.
In modern era, there is an incresing debate about children growing in large families can had benefit while others belive that growing nuclear family had benefit...
04
Leisure & Lifestyle📝 274 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model ✓
Some people argue that leisure time is best spent on activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading and doing word puzzles. Other people contend that leisure time is best spent on activities that relax the mind. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Write at least 250 words.
Human beings love to relax and chill its in our nature. But it differ from a human being to another how we like to spend our leisure time some argue that free ...
05
Family📝 308 words⏱️ Jul 2026Band 9 Model ✓
Some people believe that children benefit more from growing up in large families with many siblings, while others think that being an only child offers greater advantages.Discuss both views and give your own opinion.Write not less than 250 words.
It is a common belief of some individuals that children raised in large families with multiple siblings are more likely to benefit more from their upbringing wh...